Denim? What? DENIM! Designer Thula Sindi has one of the most sophisticated aesthetics of all our local designers. He generally designs for women of some substance — high achievers, with aspirations to  an elegant and refined lifestyle, with just a bit of sexy. He is very, very clear on this. You know exactly who his woman is and how they will wear his garments. And yet at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town this weekend, he brought us denim. Beautiful, gorgeous, lace-layered denim. How very unexpected and refreshing.

And that wasn't the only surprise that he had in store for us. I always tease Thula that there has never been a shiny accessory that he hasn't loved and plopped onto a runway look. But this collection was pared right back. Just gigantic hoop earrings and nothing else. Wow. Way to show off your clothes my friend. And still there was more to surprise. If you thought it was impossible to design for a lady who lunches in a sporty street style, you are very much mistaken. Thula managed to introduce a much more youthful and sassy edge to his collection through the use of the fabrications, the styling and the amazing peak caps. And lost nothing in the translation.

I was incredibly impressed with this range for summer. It maintained an exquisitely beautiful attitude despite the introduction of more casual direction. There were plenty of what we have all come to know as 'Thula classics', refreshed for the new season. He has managed to successfully service his existing audience AND attract a new, younger gang of ladies with this show — an absolute tour de force. Wow.
All photos courtesy of SDR Photo